Mental Health Services

Staff and Services

Rosa N. Jones, MA.Ed, Resident in Counseling is a Mental Health Clinician who provides case management and counseling to children and families. Rosa meets with clients one-on-one; facilitates therapeutic groups, assists with psychiatric medication management; and provides support for successful transitions into the community.

Rick Hensley-Buzzell is a Mental Health Clinician who also provides case management to children and families. He meets with clients one-on-one and provides specialized therapy to juveniles in need. He also facilitates groups, assists with psychiatric medication management, and helps set up support systems in the community for clients in need of collaboration in order to be successful.

Mental Health is provided by New River Valley Community Services. Services provided are not billed.

*Length of stay, charges, availability of services, and/or placement in the GOALS program play a role in determining which services an adolescent qualifies for. Clients in the GOALS program qualify for additional services and are given first priority for more intensive services.

Intake and Orientation to Services

The MAYSI-2 is a self-reported questionnaire completed by adolescents at intake and scored by the mental health staff for screening purposes. An orientation meeting with Mental Health providers usually takes place within 72 hours of intake. Mental Health services suited for the adolescent’s length of stay and needs are discussed. If the adolescent is a client of NRVCS, their community counselor is notified. Community based counselors can work with probation officers to arrange professional visits.

Emergency Detention Home Services

Emergency Services include individual meetings with Mental Health Providers and possible referrals for additional services when released. A client being opened for these services is based on their length of stay and level of need. Meetings with the psychiatrist may be available for these clients.

Individual Sessions:

Clients opened for Emergency Services or with a full-intake will meet with one or both of the Mental Health Providers weekly or bi-weekly based on level of need. Individual meetings will address issues related to family dynamics, skill building, peer interactions, stress and anxiety, anger and impulse control, substance abuse, crisis prevention, and oppositional behaviors.

Sessions with parents/guardians

Parents/Guardians can call to set up appointments to meet with their child and Mental Health Providers. These sessions are solution focused and attempt to resolve conflicts, build positive relationships, and plan transitions back into the community. Spaces are limited and priority is given to clients with longer lengths of stay. Clients have the right to refuse meetings.

Transitional Planning:

Referrals for mental health and other services are made as the clients prepare to re-enter the community. Clients in the GOALS program who are sentenced to 6 months receive a 90 day transition plan meeting and a follow up meeting 30 days before release. Transition meetings can include probation officers, detention home teachers, detention home staff, parents/guardians, and the adolescent.

Psychiatric services

Dr. Frieben, NRVCS Child-Psychiatrist, comes to the detention home twice a month. Adolescents must be open for Emergency Services or Full Admission with the detention home Mental Health Providers to be eligible. Spaces are very limited and first priority is given to clients in the GOALS program and with the greatest mental health needs. Guardians/Parents are notified of Dr. Frieben’s recommendations and expected to assist medication management.

Community Service Opportunities

Eligible clients may assist with work in the Detention Home Clothing Bank when we receive donations. Ms. Miller also sets up volunteer opportunities at Feeding America of Southwest Virginia for clients in the GOALS program. Clients in GOALS and the MRT group are given first priority for these opportunities.